Short Summary

Australia's annual Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race: This was the scene off Point Piper at the Dec 26 start of the race.

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Australia's annual Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race: This was the scene off Point Piper at the Dec 26 start of the race. A light north easterly wind was blowing a s Australian Prime Minister Menzies held the gun ready to start the fleet of thirty-two yachts on the 640-miles race to Hobart. They were bunched at the start but in less than ten minutes the field had begun to sort itself out, and the Victorian yacht, 'Kurrewa Four' drew ahead.

The Victorian schooner Astor was also going well but yachts had a slow run down the harbour as the breeze forced them to tack. The English built sloop, 'Zarabanda' shown with 'Malohi', was among the leaders. The New South Wales yacht 'Archina', was moving well at this stage. But there was still a long gruelling race ahead.

The 'Kurrewa Four' passed through the Heads fifty minutes after the start of the race. 'Astor', the biggest yacht in the race, was ten minutes behind with the 1996 winner, 'Solo', a few minutes later.